Articulating hinge assembly for use with a gaming machine cabinet

ABSTRACT

An electronic gaming machine that includes a cabinet, a display, and a hinge assembly coupled therebetween. The hinge assembly includes a first bracket coupled to the cabinet, a second bracket coupled to the display, a first link pair extending from the first bracket, and a second link pair extending from the first bracket. A third link pair is coupled to the first link pair, is coupled to the second link pair, and is coupled to the second bracket. A fourth link pair is extending from the second bracket, and is coupled to the second link pair. The link pairs are coupled to each other and to the brackets at pivot points. The hinge assembly is expandable and retractable between a retracted or expanded position, and is configured to swing the display from a lowered to a raised position as the hinge assembly is expanded.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of disclosure relates generally to electronic gaming, and moreparticularly, to electronic gaming machines including articulating hingeassemblies for moving doors or displays on gaming machine cabinets.

BACKGROUND

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs), or gaming devices, provide a varietyof wagering games such as, for example, and without limitation, slotgames, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, videobingo games, keno games, and other types of games that are frequentlyoffered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involvesa player establishing a credit balance. When the player is done, he/shecashes out the credit balance (typically by pressing a cash out buttonto receive a ticket from the ticket printer). The ticket may be“cashed-in” for money or inserted into another machine to establish acredit balance for play by inserting or otherwise submitting money andplacing a monetary wager (deducted from the credit balance) on one ormore outcomes of an instance, or play, of a primary game, sometimesreferred to as a base game. In many games, a player may qualify forsecondary games or bonus rounds by attaining a certain winningcombination or other triggering event in the base game. Secondary gamesprovide an opportunity to win additional game instances, credits,awards, jackpots, progressives, etc. Awards from any winning outcomesare typically added back to the credit balance and can be provided tothe player upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wantsto “cash out.”

Slot games are often displayed to the player in the form of varioussymbols arranged in a row-by-column grid, or “matrix.” Specific matchingcombinations of symbols along predetermined paths, or paylines, drawnthrough the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The displaytypically highlights winning combinations and outcomes for readyidentification by the player. Matching combinations and theircorresponding awards are usually shown in a “pay-table” that isavailable to the player for reference. Often, the player may varyhis/her wager to include differing numbers of paylines and/or the amountbet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alterthe frequency or number of winning combinations, the frequency or numberof secondary games, and/or the amount awarded.

Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determinethe outcome of each game. The games are designed to return a certainpercentage of the amount wagered back to the player, referred to asreturn to player (RTP), over the course of many plays or instances of agame. The RTP and randomness of the RNG are fundamental to ensuring thefairness of the games and are therefore highly regulated. The RNG may beused to randomly determine the outcome of a game and symbols may then beselected that correspond to that outcome. Alternatively, the RNG may beused to randomly select the symbols whose resulting combinationsdetermine the outcome. Notably, some games may include an element ofskill on the part of the player and are therefore not entirely random.

At least some known EGMs are housed in a cabinet, and an interior of thecabinet is accessible through openings covered by doors or by thedisplay of the EGM.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, an electronic gaming machine is provided. The machineincludes a cabinet, a display, and a hinge assembly coupled between thecabinet and the display. The hinge assembly includes a first bracketcoupled to the cabinet, a second bracket coupled to the display, a firstlink pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a firstpivot point, and a second link pair coupled to and extending from thefirst bracket at a second pivot point. A third link pair is coupled tothe first link pair at a third pivot point, is coupled to the secondlink pair at a fourth pivot point, and is coupled to the second bracketat a fifth pivot point. A fourth link pair is coupled to and extendingfrom the second bracket at a sixth pivot point, and is coupled to thesecond link pair at a seventh pivot point. The hinge assembly isselectively expandable and retractable between a fully retractedposition and a fully expanded position, and is configured to swing thedisplay from a lowered position to a raised position as the hingeassembly is expanded from the fully retracted position to the fullyexpanded position.

In another aspect, a hinge assembly is provided. The hinge assemblyincludes a first bracket including a first mounting surface, a secondbracket including a second mounting surface, a first link pair coupledto and extending from the first bracket at a first pivot point, and asecond link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at asecond pivot point. A third link pair is coupled to the first link pairat a third pivot point, is coupled to the second link pair at a fourthpivot point, and is coupled to the second bracket at a fifth pivotpoint. A fourth link pair is coupled to and extending from the secondbracket at a sixth pivot point, and is coupled to the second link pairat a seventh pivot point. The hinge assembly is selectively expandableand retractable between a fully retracted position and a fully expandedposition. The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface aresubstantially perpendicular to each other when the hinge assembly is inthe fully retracted position, and are substantially parallel with eachother when the hinge assembly is in the fully expanded position.

In yet another aspect, an electronic gaming machine is provided. Themachine includes a cabinet, a display, and a hinge assembly coupledbetween the cabinet and the display. The hinge assembly includes a firstbracket coupled to the cabinet, a second bracket coupled to the display,a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at afirst pivot point, and a second link pair coupled to and extending fromthe first bracket at a second pivot point. A third link pair is coupledto the first link pair at a third pivot point, is coupled to the secondlink pair at a fourth pivot point, and is coupled to the second bracketat a fifth pivot point. A fourth link pair is coupled to and extendingfrom the second bracket at a sixth pivot point, and is coupled to thesecond link pair at a seventh pivot point. The hinge assembly isselectively expandable and retractable between a fully retractedposition and a fully expanded position. The hinge assembly is configuredto swing the display through a range of motion having an apex positionedexterior of the cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the subject matter disclosed will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example diagram showing several EGMs networked with variousgaming-related servers;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various functional elements of anexample EGM;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example hinge assembly that may beused with at least one of the EGMs shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hinge assembly shown in FIG. 3, the hingeassembly shown in a fully retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hinge assembly shown in FIG. 3, the hingeassembly shown in a fully expanded position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the first link pair shown in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second link pair shown in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the third link pair shown in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the fourth link pair shown in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example cabinet assembly that may beused with at least one of the EGMs shown in FIG. 1, the cabinet assemblyincluding an example display shown in a closed position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 10having the display removed for clarity;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 10having the display shown in a fully open position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 12having the display removed for clarity.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 14 with thedisplay shown in a partially open position.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the cabinet assembly shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure include electronic gaming machines(EGMs) including articulating hinge assemblies for moving cabinet accessdoors or video screen displays on gaming machine cabinets. The EGMdescribed herein includes a cabinet and a display screen (also referredto herein as a display) connected to the cabinet with the hingeassembly. The hinge assembly includes a plurality of interdigitatedmembers (i.e., link pairs) coupled to each other by a plurality offasteners to define a plurality of pivot points. The pivot pointsfacilitate articulation (e.g., expansion and retraction) of the hingeassembly, which enables the display to be opened and closed to provideaccess to an interior of the cabinet.

In one embodiment, the display is connected to a top edge of thecabinet, and an upper portion of the display is proximate to the topedge. The hinge assembly described herein provides a range of motionthat allows the display to swing away from the cabinet, and to avoidcontact between the upper portion of the display and the cabinet as thedisplay is opened and closed. The range of motion may be defined bytracing the movement of at least one of the pivot points that aremovable relative to the cabinet. For example, when the display is movedfrom a closed position to an open position, the mobile pivot points movedownward and outward from the cabinet until an apex is reached, and thenmove upward and outward relative to the apex until the display reachesthe open position. The radius of curvature of the downward range ofmotion progressively increases as the pivot points move towards to apex,and the radius of curvature of the upward range of motion progressivelydecreases as the pivot points move away from the apex. In other words,the downward range of motion is initially substantially linear andbecomes arcuate at the apex, and the upward range of motion is initiallyarcuate at the apex and becomes substantially linear. As such, theparabolic range of motion defined by the hinge assembly facilitatesensuring the display does not contact the cabinet throughout the openingand closing motions. Accordingly, the hinge assembly described hereinfacilitates preventing damage and/or abrasion from being incurred to thecabinet and the display.

FIG. 1 illustrates several different models of EGMs which may benetworked to various gaming related servers. Shown is a system 100 in agaming environment including one or more server computers 102 (e.g.,slot servers of a casino) that are in communication, via acommunications network, with one or more gaming devices 104A-104X (EGMs,slots, video poker, bingo machines, etc.) that can implement one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. The gaming devices 104A-104X mayalternatively be portable and/or remote gaming devices such as, but notlimited to, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or a game console,although such devices may require specialized software and/or hardwareto comply with regulatory requirements regarding devices used forwagering or games of chance in which monetary awards are provided.

Communication between the gaming devices 104A-104X and the servercomputers 102, and among the gaming devices 104A-104X, may be direct orindirect, such as over the Internet through a website maintained by acomputer on a remote server or over an online data network includingcommercial online service providers, Internet service providers, privatenetworks, and the like. In other embodiments, the gaming devices104A-104X may communicate with one another and/or the server computers102 over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.

In some embodiments, server computers 102 may not be necessary and/orpreferred. For example, in one or more embodiments, a stand-alone gamingdevice such as gaming device 104A, gaming device 104B or any of theother gaming devices 104C-104X can implement one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure. However, it is typical to find multiple EGMsconnected to networks implemented with one or more of the differentserver computers 102 described herein.

The server computers 102 may include a central determination gamingsystem server 106, a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) system server 108, aplayer tracking system server 110, a progressive system server 112,and/or a casino management system server 114. In some embodimentscentral determination gaming server 106 may be a bingo gaming systemserver. Gaming devices 104A-104X may include features to enableoperation of any or all servers for use by the player and/or operator(e.g., the casino, resort, gaming establishment, tavern, pub, etc.). Forexample, game outcomes may be generated on a central determinationgaming system server 106 and then transmitted over the network to any ofa group of remote terminals or remote gaming devices 104A-104X thatutilize the game outcomes and display the results to the players.

Gaming device 104A is often of a cabinet construction which may bealigned in rows or banks of similar devices for placement and operationon a casino floor. The gaming device 104A often includes a main door 154which provides access to the interior of the cabinet. Gaming device 104Atypically includes a button area or button deck 120 accessible by aplayer that is configured with input switches or buttons 122, an accesschannel for a bill validator 124, and/or an access channel for aticket-out printer 126.

In FIG. 1, gaming device 104A is shown as a Relm XL™ model gaming devicemanufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. As shown, gaming device104A is a reel machine having a gaming display area 118 comprising anumber (typically 3 or 5) of mechanical reels 130 with various symbolsdisplayed on them. The reels 130 are independently spun and stopped toshow a set of symbols within the gaming display area 118 which may beused to determine an outcome to the game.

In many configurations, the gaming machine 104A may have a main display128 (e.g., video display monitor) mounted to, or above, the gamingdisplay area 118. The main display 128 can be a high-resolution LCD,plasma, LED, or OLED panel which may be flat or curved as shown, acathode ray tube, or other conventional electronically controlled videomonitor.

In some embodiments, the bill validator 124 may also function as a“ticket-in” reader that allows the player to use a casino issued creditticket to load credits onto the gaming device 104A (e.g., in a cashlessticket (“TITO”) system). In such cashless embodiments, the gaming device104A may also include a “ticket-out” printer 126 for outputting a creditticket when a “cash out” button is pressed. Cashless TITO systems areused to generate and track unique bar-codes or other indicators printedon tickets to allow players to avoid the use of bills and coins byloading credits using a ticket reader and cashing out credits using aticket-out printer 126 on the gaming device 104A. The gaming machine104A can have hardware meters for purposes including ensuring regulatorycompliance and monitoring the player credit balance. In addition, therecan be additional meters that record the total amount of money wageredon the gaming machine, total amount of money deposited, total amount ofmoney withdrawn, total amount of winnings on gaming device 104A.

In some embodiments, a player tracking card reader 144, a transceiverfor wireless communication with a player's smartphone, a keypad 146,and/or an illuminated display 148 for reading, receiving, entering,and/or displaying player tracking information is provided in EGM 104A.In such embodiments, a game controller within the gaming device 104A cancommunicate with the player tracking system server 110 to send andreceive player tracking information.

Gaming device 104A may also include a bonus topper wheel 134. When bonusplay is triggered (e.g., by a player achieving a particular outcome orset of outcomes in the primary game), bonus topper wheel 134 isoperative to spin and stop with indicator arrow 136 indicating theoutcome of the bonus game. Bonus topper wheel 134 is typically used toplay a bonus game, but it could also be incorporated into play of thebase or primary game.

A candle 138 may be mounted on the top of gaming device 104A and may beactivated by a player (e.g., using a switch or one of buttons 122) toindicate to operations staff that gaming device 104A has experienced amalfunction or the player requires service. The candle 138 is also oftenused to indicate a jackpot has been won and to alert staff that a handpayout of an award may be needed.

There may also be one or more information panels 152 which may be aback-lit, silkscreened glass panel with lettering to indicate generalgame information including, for example, a game denomination (e.g.,$0.25 or $1), pay lines, pay tables, and/or various game relatedgraphics. In some embodiments, the information panel(s) 152 may beimplemented as an additional video display.

Gaming devices 104A have traditionally also included a handle 132typically mounted to the side of main cabinet 116 which may be used toinitiate game play.

Many or all the above described components can be controlled bycircuitry (e.g., a gaming controller) housed inside the main cabinet 116of the gaming device 104A, the details of which are shown in FIG. 2.

Note that not all gaming devices suitable for implementing embodimentsof the present disclosure necessarily include top wheels, top boxes,information panels, cashless ticket systems, and/or player trackingsystems. Further, some suitable gaming devices have only a single gamedisplay that includes only a mechanical set of reels and/or a videodisplay, while others are designed for bar counters or table tops andhave displays that face upwards.

An alternative example gaming device 104B illustrated in FIG. 1 is theArc™ model gaming device manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc.Note that where possible, reference numerals identifying similarfeatures of the gaming device 104A embodiment are also identified in thegaming device 104B embodiment using the same reference numbers. Gamingdevice 104B does not include physical reels and instead shows game playfunctions on main display 128. An optional topper screen 140 may be usedas a secondary game display for bonus play, to show game features orattraction activities while a game is not in play, or any otherinformation or media desired by the game designer or operator. In someembodiments, topper screen 140 may also or alternatively be used todisplay progressive jackpot prizes available to a player during play ofgaming device 104B.

Example gaming device 104B includes a main cabinet 116 including a maindoor 154 which opens to provide access to the interior of the gamingdevice 104B. The main or service door 154 is typically used by servicepersonnel to refill the ticket-out printer 126 and collect bills andtickets inserted into the bill validator 124. The main or service door154 may also be accessed to reset the machine, verify and/or upgrade thesoftware, and for general maintenance operations.

Another example gaming device 104C shown is the Helix™ model gamingdevice manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. Gaming device 104Cincludes a main display 128A that is in a landscape orientation.Although not illustrated by the front view provided, the landscapedisplay 128A may have a curvature radius from top to bottom, oralternatively from side to side. In some embodiments, display 128A is aflat panel display. Main display 128A is typically used for primary gameplay while secondary display 128B is typically used for bonus game play,to show game features or attraction activities while the game is not inplay or any other information or media desired by the game designer oroperator. In some embodiments, example gaming device 104C may alsoinclude speakers 142 to output various audio such as game sound,background music, etc.

Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, videoslot games, video poker, video black jack, video pachinko, keno, bingo,and lottery, may be provided with or implemented within the depictedgaming devices 104A-104C and other similar gaming devices. Each gamingdevice may also be operable to provide many different games. Games maybe differentiated according to themes, sounds, graphics, type of game(e.g., slot game vs. card game vs. game with aspects of skill),denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive ornon-progressive, bonus games, and may be deployed for operation in Class2 or Class 3, etc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting exemplary internal electroniccomponents of a gaming device 200 connected to various external systems.All or parts of the example gaming device 200 shown could be used toimplement any one of the example gaming devices 104A-X depicted inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming device 200 may include a topperdisplay 216 or another form of a top box (e.g., a topper wheel, a topperscreen, etc.) that sits above cabinet 218. The cabinet 218 or topperdisplay 216 may also house a number of other components which may beused to add features to a game being played on gaming device 200,including speakers 220, a ticket printer 222 which prints bar-codedtickets or other media or mechanisms for storing or indicating aplayer's credit value, a ticket reader 224 which reads bar-coded ticketsor other media or mechanisms for storing or indicating a player's creditvalue, and a player tracking interface 232. The player trackinginterface 232 may include a keypad 226 for entering information, aplayer tracking display 228 for displaying information (e.g., anilluminated or video display), a card reader 230 for receiving dataand/or communicating information to and from media or a device such as asmart phone enabling player tracking. Ticket printer 222 may be used toprint tickets for a TITO system server 108. The gaming device 200 mayfurther include a bill validator 234, player-input buttons 236 forplayer input, cabinet security sensors 238 to detect unauthorizedopening of the cabinet 218, a primary game display 240, and a secondarygame display 242, each coupled to and operable under the control of gamecontroller 202.

The games available for play on the gaming device 200 are controlled bya game controller 202 that includes one or more processors 204.Processor 204 represents a general-purpose processor, a specializedprocessor intended to perform certain functional tasks, or a combinationthereof. As an example, processor 204 can be a central processing unit(CPU) that has one or more multi-core processing units and memorymediums (e.g., cache memory) that function as buffers and/or temporarystorage for data. Alternatively, processor 204 can be a specializedprocessor, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA),digital signal processor (DSP), or another type of hardware accelerator.In another example, processor 204 is a system on chip (SoC) thatcombines and integrates one or more general-purpose processors and/orone or more specialized processors. Although FIG. 2 illustrates thatgame controller 202 includes a single processor 204, game controller 202is not limited to this representation and instead can include multipleprocessors 204 (e.g., two or more processors).

FIG. 2 illustrates that processor 204 is operatively coupled to memory208. Memory 208 is defined herein as including volatile and non-volatilememory and other types of non-transitory data storage components.Volatile memory is memory that do not retain data values upon loss ofpower. Non-volatile memory is memory that do retain data upon a loss ofpower. Examples of memory 208 include random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB flashdrives, memory cards accessed via a memory card reader, floppy disksaccessed via an associated floppy disk drive, optical discs accessed viaan optical disc drive, magnetic tapes accessed via an appropriate tapedrive, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two ormore of these memory components. In addition, examples of RAM includestatic random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and other such devices. Examplesof ROM include a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other like memory device.Even though FIG. 2 illustrates that game controller 202 includes asingle memory 208, game controller 202 could include multiple memories208 for storing program instructions and/or data.

Memory 208 can store one or more game programs 206 that provide programinstructions and/or data for carrying out various embodiments (e.g.,game mechanics) described herein. Stated another way, game program 206represents an executable program stored in any portion or component ofmemory 208. In one or more embodiments, game program 206 is embodied inthe form of source code that includes human-readable statements writtenin a programming language or machine code that contains numericalinstructions recognizable by a suitable execution system, such as aprocessor 204 in a game controller or other system. Examples ofexecutable programs include: (1) a compiled program that can betranslated into machine code in a format that can be loaded into arandom access portion of memory 208 and run by processor 204; (2) sourcecode that may be expressed in proper format such as object code that iscapable of being loaded into a random access portion of memory 208 andexecuted by processor 204; and (3) source code that may be interpretedby another executable program to generate instructions in a randomaccess portion of memory 208 to be executed by processor 204.

Alternatively, game programs 206 can be setup to generate one or moregame instances based on instructions and/or data that gaming device 200exchange with one or more remote gaming devices, such as a centraldetermination gaming system server 106 (not shown in FIG. 2 but shown inFIG. 1). For purpose of this disclosure, the term “game instance” refersto a play or a round of a game that gaming device 200 presents (e.g.,via a user interface (UI)) to a player. The game instance iscommunicated to gaming device 200 via the network 214 and then displayedon gaming device 200. For example, gaming device 200 may execute gameprogram 206 as video streaming software that allows the game to bedisplayed on gaming device 200. When a game is stored on gaming device200, it may be loaded from memory 208 (e.g., from a read only memory(ROM)) or from the central determination gaming system server 106 tomemory 208.

Gaming devices, such as gaming device 200, are highly regulated toensure fairness and, in many cases, gaming device 200 is operable toaward monetary awards (e.g., typically dispensed in the form of aredeemable voucher). Therefore, to satisfy security and regulatoryrequirements in a gaming environment, hardware and softwarearchitectures are implemented in gaming devices 200 that differsignificantly from those of general-purpose computers. Adapting generalpurpose computers to function as gaming devices 200 is not simple orstraightforward because of: (1) the regulatory requirements for gamingdevices 200, (2) the harsh environment in which gaming devices 200operate, (3) security requirements, (4) fault tolerance requirements,and (5) the requirement for additional special purpose componentryenabling functionality of an EGM. These differences require substantialengineering effort with respect to game design implementation, gamemechanics, hardware components, and software.

One regulatory requirement for games running on gaming device 200generally involves complying with a certain level of randomness.Typically, gaming jurisdictions mandate that gaming devices 200 satisfya minimum level of randomness without specifying how a gaming device 200should achieve this level of randomness. To comply, FIG. 2 illustratesthat gaming device 200 includes an RNG 212 that utilizes hardware and/orsoftware to generate RNG outcomes that lack any pattern. The RNGoperations are often specialized and non-generic in order to comply withregulatory and gaming requirements. For example, in a reel game, gameprogram 206 can initiate multiple RNG calls to RNG 212 to generate RNGoutcomes, where each RNG call and RNG outcome corresponds to an outcomefor a reel. In another example, gaming device 200 can be a Class IIgaming device where RNG 212 generates RNG outcomes for creating Bingocards. In one or more embodiments, RNG 212 could be one of a set of RNGsoperating on gaming device 200. Game developers could vary the degree oftrue randomness for each RNG (e.g., pseudorandom) and utilize specificRNGs depending on game requirements.

Another regulatory requirement for running games on gaming device 200includes ensuring a certain level of RTP. Similar to the randomnessrequirement discussed above, numerous gaming jurisdictions also mandatethat gaming device 200 provides a minimum level of RTP (e.g., RTP of atleast 75%). FIG. 2 illustrates that gaming device 200 includes an RNGconversion engine 210 that translates the RNG outcome from RNG 212 to agame outcome presented to a player. To meet a designated RTP, a gamedeveloper can setup the RNG conversion engine 210 to utilize one or morelookup tables to translate the RNG outcome to a symbol element, stopposition on a reel strip layout, and/or randomly chosen aspect of a gamefeature. As an example, the lookup tables can regulate a prize payoutamount for each RNG outcome and how often the gaming device 200 pays outthe prize payout amounts. The RNG conversion engine 210 could utilizeone lookup table to map the RNG outcome to a game outcome displayed to aplayer and a second lookup table as a pay table for determining theprize payout amount for each game outcome. The mapping between the RNGoutcome to the game outcome controls the frequency in hitting certainprize payout amounts.

Gaming device 200 may be connected over network 214 to player trackingsystem server 110. Player tracking system server 110 may be, forexample, an OASIS® system manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc.Player tracking system server 110 is used to track play (e.g. amountwagered, games played, time of play and/or other quantitative orqualitative measures) for individual players so that an operator mayreward players in a loyalty program. The player may use the playertracking interface 232 to access his/her account information, activatefree play, and/or request various information. Player tracking orloyalty programs seek to reward players for their play and help buildbrand loyalty to the gaming establishment. The rewards typicallycorrespond to the player's level of patronage (e.g., to the player'splaying frequency and/or total amount of game plays at a given casino).Player tracking rewards may be complimentary and/or discounted meals,lodging, entertainment and/or additional play. Player trackinginformation may be combined with other information that is now readilyobtainable by a casino management system.

When a player wishes to play the gaming device 200, he/she can insertcash or a ticket voucher through a coin acceptor (not shown) or billvalidator 234 to establish a credit balance on the gamine machine. Thecredit balance is used by the player to place wagers on instances of thegame and to receive credit awards based on the outcome of winninginstances. The credit balance is decreased by the amount of each wagerand increased upon a win. The player can add additional credits to thebalance at any time. The player may also optionally insert a loyaltyclub card into the card reader 230. During the game, the player viewswith one or more UIs, the game outcome on one or more of the primarygame display 240 and secondary game display 242. Other game and prizeinformation may also be displayed.

For each game instance, a player may make selections, which may affectplay of the game. For example, the player may vary the total amountwagered by selecting the amount bet per line and the number of linesplayed. In many games, the player is asked to initiate or select optionsduring course of game play (such as spinning a wheel to begin a bonusround or select various items during a feature game). The player maymake these selections using the player-input buttons 236, the primarygame display 240 which may be a touch screen, or using some other devicewhich enables a player to input information into the gaming device 200.

During certain game events, the gaming device 200 may display visual andauditory effects that can be perceived by the player. These effects addto the excitement of a game, which makes a player more likely to enjoythe playing experience. Auditory effects include various sounds that areprojected by the speakers 220. Visual effects include flashing lights,strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lights on the gamingdevice 200 or from lights behind the information panel 152 (FIG. 1).

When the player is done, he/she cashes out the credit balance (typicallyby pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from the ticketprinter 222). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or inserted intoanother machine to establish a credit balance for play.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates specific embodiments of a gamingdevice (e.g., gaming devices 104A-104X and 200), the disclosure is notlimited to those embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, notall gaming devices suitable for implementing embodiments of the presentdisclosure necessarily include top wheels, top boxes, informationpanels, cashless ticket systems, and/or player tracking systems.Further, some suitable gaming devices have only a single game displaythat includes only a mechanical set of reels and/or a video display,while others are designed for bar counters or table tops and havedisplays that face upwards. Additionally, or alternatively, gamingdevices 104A-104X and 200 can include credit transceivers thatwirelessly communicate (e.g., Bluetooth or other near-fieldcommunication technology) with one or more mobile devices to performcredit transactions. As an example, bill validator 234 could contain orbe coupled to the credit transceiver that output credits from and/orload credits onto the gaming device 104A by communicating with aplayer's smartphone (e.g., a digital wallet interface). Gaming devices104A-104X and 200 may also include other processors that are notseparately shown. Using FIG. 2 as an example, gaming device 200 couldinclude display controllers (not shown in FIG. 2) configured to receivevideo input signals or instructions to display images on game displays240 and 242. Alternatively, such display controllers may be integratedinto the game controller 202. The use and discussion of FIGS. 1 and 2are examples to facilitate ease of description and explanation.

FIG. 3-5 illustrate various views of an example hinge assembly 300 thatmay be used with at least one of the gaming devices 104A-104X such as,but not limited to, gaming device 104B (shown in FIG. 1). In the exampleembodiment, hinge assembly 300 includes a first bracket 302, a secondbracket 304, and a linkage system 306 coupled to and extending betweenfirst bracket 302 and second bracket 304. First bracket 302 includes afirst portion 308 and a second portion 310 oriented orthogonallyrelative to first portion 308. First portion 308 is coupled to linkagesystem 306, and second portion 310 includes a first mounting surface 312for coupling to one or more components of gaming devices 104A-104X.Second bracket 304 includes a first portion 314 and a second portion 316oriented orthogonally relative to first portion 314. First portion 314is coupled to linkage system 306, and second portion 316 includes asecond mounting surface 318 for coupling to one or more components ofgaming devices 104A-104X. Second portion 310 and second portion 316 eachinclude mounting holes 320 defined therein, and may be coupled to theone or more components of gaming devices 104A-104X with one or morefasteners, such as rivets, bolts, screws, and the like.

In general, linkage system 306 includes a plurality of interconnectedpairs of links (or “link pairs”) coupled between first bracket 302 andsecond bracket 304. Each link pair includes at least one elongatedmember (or “link member”) coupled through at least one pivot joint toanother elongated member. Link pairs are coupled or interconnected toone another at one or more pivot points by interleaving, interlocking,and/or interdigitating the link members of one link pair with the linkmembers of another link pair. Further, in the example embodiment, eachpivot point includes a fastener, such as a rivet, arranged to rotatablycouple link pairs, one to another, or to one of first bracket 302 orsecond bracket 304. The use of rivets to couple link pairs may reduce oreliminate lateral flex in hinge assembly 300, such that each of the linkpairs are maintained in a stable relationship to one another. It will beappreciated, however, that other types of fasteners may be implementedin hinge assembly 300, such as, for example, and without limitation, oneor more screws, one or more bolts, and the like. In addition, in someembodiments, one or more flattened or low profile rivets may be used,such as, for example, to make hinge assembly 300 more compact.

In the example embodiment, linkage system 306 includes a first link pair322, a second link pair 324, a third link pair 326, and a fourth linkpair 328. Link pairs 322, 324, 326, and 328 may be interdigitated withone another, and/or with first bracket 302 or second bracket 304, toachieve an interconnected arrangement of link pairs. To this end, theindividual links of each of link pairs 322, 324, 326, and 328 may be ofsubstantially identical thickness. For convenience, the thickness of alink is referred to herein as “link thickness,” such as a link thickness330 shown in FIG. 3. To accommodate interdigitation between one of linkpairs 322, 324, 326, and 328 and first bracket 302 or second bracket304, the thicknesses of second portion 310 and second portion 316 may besubstantially equal to the link thickness. In addition, each of the twolinks in each link pair 322, 324, 326, and 328 may be spaced apart fromone another by the link thickness, such that one link of one link pair322, 324, 326, and 328 may be interdigitated with the two links ofanother link pair 322, 324, 326, and 328, and/or with first bracket 302or second bracket 304.

First link pair 322 includes a first link member 332 and a second linkmember 334 that are substantially identical, and that have asubstantially linear shape. In addition, referring to FIG. 6, first linkpair 322 has an overall length L₁.

Second link pair 324 includes a first link member 336 and a second linkmember 338 that are substantially identical, and that have an obliqueshape. Referring to FIG. 7, second link pair 324 includes a firstsection 340, a second section 342, and a third section 344. Firstsection 340 is oriented obtusely relative to second section 342, such asby an angle defined within a range between about 140 and about 180degrees, between about 150 and about 170 degrees, or that isapproximately 160 degrees. Second section 342 is oriented obtuselyrelative to third section 344, such as by an angle between about 140 andabout 180 degrees, between about 150 and about 170 degrees, or that isapproximately 157 degrees. First section 340 has a length L₂, thirdsection 344 has a length L₃ that is longer than length L₂, and secondsection 342 has a length L₄ that is longer than length L₃. In addition,second link pair 324 has an overall length L₅ that is longer than lengthL₁.

Third link pair 326 includes a first link member 346 and a second linkmember 348 that are substantially identical, and that have an obliqueshape. Referring to FIG. 8, third link pair 326 includes a first section350 and a second section 352 oriented obtusely relative to first section350, such as by an angle defined within a range between about 130degrees and about 180 degrees, defined within a range between about 140degrees and about 160 degrees, or that is approximately 150 degrees.First section 350 has a length L₆, and second section 352 has a lengthL₇ that is shorter than length L₆. In addition, third link pair 326 hasan overall length L₈ that is shorter than length L₅.

Fourth link pair 328 includes a first link member 354 and a second linkmember 356 that are substantially identical, and that have asubstantially linear shape. In addition, referring to FIG. 9, fourthlink pair 328 has an overall length L₉ that is shorter than length L₁.

First link pair 322 is coupled to and extends from first bracket 302 ata first pivot point 358, and second link pair is coupled to and extendsfrom first bracket 302 at a second pivot point 360. Third link pair 326is coupled to first link pair 322 at a third pivot point 362, is coupledto second link pair 324 at a fourth pivot point 364, and is coupled tosecond bracket 304 at a fifth pivot point 366. Fourth link pair 328 iscoupled to and extends from second bracket 304 at a sixth pivot point368, and is coupled to second link pair 324 at a seventh pivot point370. Accordingly, hinge assembly 300 is selectively expandable andretractable between a fully retracted position (shown in FIG. 4) and afully expanded position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 5). When in the fullyretracted position, first mounting surface 312 and second mountingsurface 318 are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Whenin the fully expanded position, first mounting surface 312 and secondmounting surface 318 are oriented substantially parallel with eachother. As such, as will be described in more detail below, hingeassembly 300 has a range of motion that enables main display 128 (shownin FIG. 1) to be swung from a lowered position to a raised position toprovide access to main cabinet 116 (shown in FIG. 1).

In addition, hinge assembly 300 has a range of motion that progressivelyincreases a distance between first bracket 302 and second bracket 304 ashinge assembly 300 is expanded from the fully retracted position to thefully expanded position. For example, first bracket 302 includes a firstproximal edge 372, and second bracket 304 includes a second proximaledge 374. Referring to FIG. 3, when in the fully retracted position, adistance D₁ is defined between first proximal edge 372 and secondproximal edge 374. Referring to FIG. 4, when in the fully expandedposition, a distance D₂ is defined between first proximal edge 372 andsecond proximal edge 374. Distance D₂ is greater than distance D₁.Accordingly, sufficient clearance is provided between main cabinet 116and main display 128 as main display 128 is rotated from a verticalorientation to a horizontal orientation by hinge assembly 300, as willbe described in more detail below.

In the example embodiment, a plurality of predefined angles are definedbetween a reference axis 376 and link pairs 322, 324, 326, and 328 whenhinge assembly 300 is in the fully retracted position or the fullyexpanded position. The predefined angles are defined as a function ofthe dimensions of each link pair 322, 324, 326, and 328, and as afunction of the location of pivot points 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, 368,and 370.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, a first angle 378 is defined betweenreference axis 376 and first link pair 322. First angle 378 is definedwithin a range between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees, or betweenabout 40 degrees and about 50 degrees. A second angle 380 is definedbetween reference axis 376 and second section 342 of second link pair324. Second angle 380 is defined within a range between about 30 degreesand about 60 degrees, or between about 40 degrees and about 50 degrees.A third angle 382 is defined between reference axis 376 and firstsection 340 of third link pair 326. Third angle 382 is defined within arange between about 25 degrees and about 55 degrees, or between about 35degrees and about 45 degrees. A fourth angle 384 is defined betweenreference axis 376 and fourth link pair 328. Fourth angle 384 is definedwithin a range between about 25 degrees and about 55 degrees, or betweenabout 35 degrees and about 45 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 5, a first angle 386 is defined between reference axis376 and first link pair 322. First angle 386 is defined within a rangebetween about 120 degrees and about 150 degrees, or between about 130degrees and about 140 degrees. A second angle 388 is defined betweenreference axis 376 and second section 342 of second link pair 324.Second angle 388 is defined within a range between about 120 degrees andabout 150 degrees, or between about 130 degrees and about 140 degrees. Athird angle 390 is defined between reference axis 376 and first section340 of third link pair 326. Third angle 390 is defined within a rangebetween about 20 degrees and about 50 degrees, or between about 30degrees and about 40 degrees. A fourth angle 392 is defined betweenreference axis 376 and fourth link pair 328. Fourth angle 392 is definedwithin a range between about 20 degrees and about 50 degrees, or betweenabout 30 degrees and about 40 degrees.

FIGS. 10-13 are views of an example cabinet assembly 394 that may beused with at least one of the gaming devices 104A-104X such as, but notlimited to, gaming device 104B (shown in FIG. 1). In the exampleembodiment, cabinet assembly 394 includes a cabinet frame 396 of maincabinet 116 (shown in FIG. 1) (collectively referred to herein as“cabinet”) and a display screen 398 of main display 128 (shown inFIG. 1) (collectively referred to herein as “display”). Hinge assembly300 is coupled between cabinet frame 396 and display screen 398.Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, hinge assembly 300 is in the fullyretracted position, which causes display screen 398 to be in a closed orlowered position relative to cabinet frame 396. Display screen 398 isoriented substantially vertically when in the closed or loweredposition. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, hinge assembly 300 is in thefully expanded position, which causes display screen 398 to be in anopen or raised position relative to cabinet frame 396 to provide accessto an interior 400 of cabinet frame 396. Display screen 398 is orientedsubstantially horizontally when in the open or raised position. Inaddition, in one embodiment, a biasing mechanism 402, such as a gasspring, is coupled between cabinet frame 396 and display screen 398 tofacilitate holding display screen 398 in the open or raised position.

The range of motion of hinge assembly 300 may be delimited in any mannerthat enables cabinet assembly 394 to function as described herein. Inone embodiment, the range of motion is delimited by the maximum lengthof extension of biasing mechanism 402. Alternatively, the range ofmotion may be delimited through contact between links pairs 322 and 324.

FIGS. 14-16 are side views of cabinet assembly 394 being moved from aclosed position to a fully open position. As described above, the rangeof motion of hinge assembly 300 may be defined by tracing the movementof at least one of the pivot points that are not connect to firstbracket 310 (shown in FIG. 3) (i.e., mobile pivot points 362, 364, 366,368, and 370). The range of motion of hinge assembly 300 will bediscussed in the context of fifth pivot point 366, but it should beunderstood the discussion is applicable to the other mobile pivot pointsas well.

Referring to FIG. 14, hinge assembly 300 is in the fully retractedposition. When hinge assembly 300 is in the fully retracted position,fifth pivot point 000 is positioned interior to cabinet frame 396, anddefines a first end 404 of a range of motion (not shown in FIG. 14) ofhinge assembly 300. Referring to FIG. 15, display screen 398 is in apartially open position, which is enabled by a range of motion 406 ofhinge assembly 300. In one embodiment, range of motion 406 is parabolicin nature, and includes an apex 408 positioned exterior of cabinet frame396. More specifically, or alternatively, range of motion 406 includessubstantially linear component 410 and an arcuate component 412positioned closer to apex 408 than substantially linear component 410.Arcuate component 412 has a radius of curvature that is greater thanthat of substantially linear component 410. As such, as shown in FIG.16, hinge assembly 300 facilitates swinging display screen 398 to clearcabinet frame 396 as fifth pivot point 366 moves through range of motion406 defined between first end 404 and a second end 414.

While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, itwill be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Any variation and derivation from the above description andfigures are included in the scope of the present invention as defined bythe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic gaming machine comprising: a cabinet; a display; and a hinge assembly coupled between the cabinet and the display, the hinge assembly comprising: a first bracket coupled to the cabinet; a second bracket coupled to the display; a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a first pivot point; a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a second pivot point; a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot point, coupled to the second link pair at a fourth pivot point, and coupled to the second bracket at a fifth pivot point; and a fourth link pair coupled to and extending from the second bracket at a sixth pivot point, and coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot point, wherein the hinge assembly is selectively expandable and retractable between a fully retracted position and a fully expanded position, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to swing the display from a lowered position to a raised position as the hinge assembly is expanded from the fully retracted position to the fully expanded position.
 2. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the display is orientable substantially vertically when the hinge assembly is in the fully retracted position, and is orientable substantially horizontally when the hinge assembly is in the fully expanded position.
 3. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to move the display in a parabolic range of motion between the fully retracted position and the fully expanded position.
 4. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second link pair comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section, the first section oriented obtusely relative to the second section, and the second section oriented obtusely relative to the third section.
 5. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 4, wherein the fourth pivot point is defined between the second section and the third section of the second link pair.
 6. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the third link pair comprises a first section and a second section oriented obtusely relative to the first section.
 7. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly has a range of motion configured to progressively increase a distance between the first bracket and the second bracket as the hinge assembly is expanded from the fully retracted position to the fully expanded position.
 8. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one gas spring coupled between the cabinet and the display.
 9. A hinge assembly comprising: a first bracket comprising a first mounting surface; a second bracket comprising a second mounting surface; a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a first pivot point; a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a second pivot point; a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot point, coupled to the second link pair at a fourth pivot point, and coupled to the second bracket at a fifth pivot point; and a fourth link pair coupled to and extending from the second bracket at a sixth pivot point, and coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot point, wherein the hinge assembly is selectively expandable and retractable between a fully retracted position and a fully expanded position, wherein the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are substantially perpendicular to each other when the hinge assembly is in the fully retracted position, and are substantially parallel with each other when the hinge assembly is in the fully expanded position.
 10. The hinge assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to move in a parabolic range of motion between the fully retracted position and the fully expanded position.
 11. The hinge assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the second link pair comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section, the first section oriented obtusely relative to the second section, and the second section oriented obtusely relative to the third section, and wherein the third link pair comprises a first section and a second section oriented obtusely relative to the first section.
 12. The hinge assembly in accordance with claim 11, wherein the fourth pivot point is defined between the second section and the third section of the second link pair, and between the first section and the second section of the third link pair.
 13. The hinge assembly in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first section is coupled to the first bracket at the second pivot point, and the third section is coupled to the fourth link pair at the seventh pivot point.
 14. An electronic gaming machine comprising: a cabinet; a display; and a hinge assembly coupled between the cabinet and the display, the hinge assembly comprising: a first bracket coupled to the cabinet; a second bracket coupled to the display; a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a first pivot point; a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first bracket at a second pivot point; a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot point, coupled to the second link pair at a fourth pivot point, and coupled to the second bracket at a fifth pivot point; and a fourth link pair coupled to and extending from the second bracket at a sixth pivot point, and coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot point, wherein the hinge assembly is selectively expandable and retractable between a fully retracted position and a fully expanded position, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to swing the display through a range of motion having an apex positioned exterior of the cabinet.
 15. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 14, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to move the display in a parabolic range of motion through the apex between the fully retracted position and the fully expanded position.
 16. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 14, wherein the range of motion is defined by a substantially linear component and an arcuate component positioned closer to the apex than the substantially linear component.
 17. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 14, wherein the second link pair comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section, the first section oriented obtusely relative to the second section, and the second section oriented obtusely relative to the third section, and wherein the third link pair comprises a first section and a second section oriented obtusely relative to the first section.
 18. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 17, wherein the fourth pivot point is defined between the second section and the third section of the second link pair, and between the first section and the second section of the third link pair.
 19. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 17, wherein the first section is coupled to the first bracket at the second pivot point, and the third section is coupled to the fourth link pair at the seventh pivot point.
 20. The electronic gaming machine in accordance with claim 14, wherein the hinge assembly has a range of motion configured to progressively increase a distance between the first bracket and the second bracket as the hinge assembly is expanded from the fully retracted position to the fully expanded position. 